Yesterday, we hit the Washington State Ferry system with Grandma E and Grandpa T in tow. I’ve been meaning to do this with the kids for awhile (since the littles have been decent enough on the stairs) but have been a bit hesitant about the whole herding-two-toddlers-and-a-preschooler-on-the-ferry thing. With three on three (adults to kids), this seemed like a perfect time for a test run!
While the Vashon Ferry is literally minutes from our house, I don’t think the ride would have been long enough for us to really get out and enjoy it (three carseats = not speedy entrance and exit to the vehicle). The car is still critical to our getting anywhere in a timely fashion with all the kids and gear, too — no walk ons for us, yet! Bainbridge was the obvious choice — we could catch it downtown, have a nice length ride, with lots of fun stuff to do on the other side.
We took the 8:45 and made it with a few minutes to spare — whew! No lines heading that direction on a weekday morning! Once on, we got to explore the very uncrowded ferry — it was a BIG boat, with several levels and lots of decks and viewing areas close to or totally empty. The rain had stopped, and while there as a bit of a wind, it wasn’t too cold. The girls had lots of fun. So much to see: Boats! Birds! Water!
Once on the Island, we headed straight for Waterfront Park. Just a block or two off the main street through town, it has a great playground with lots of fun stuff – including a VERY tall slide, labeled for ages 5-12. Ha ha! Good luck keeping my two year olds off that!!! Grandma & Grandpa headed off to get some coffee and treats while the girls played.
After a while, we headed down to the waterfront (also part of Waterfront Park). We walked up and down the dock and saw lots of boats, then had a picnic lunch. The girls and Grandma went for a brief beach walk, then we wandered up and over to the giant metal "pirate ship" (which seems to also double as a stage for performances, too.) The girls enjoyed fighting over playing with sticks, picking flowers, and wandering VERY VERY SLOW as we tried to rally the troops back to the car for our last stop before heading home…
Ice cream!!!! Took us awhile to find it, as it was down an alley-like road off the main street through town, but luckily a friendly local helped us out. Mora Iced Creamery was a fabulous splurge to top off the afternoon. The girls shared a "one and a half scoop" of chocolate (they kindly offered to split it between three cones, woo hoo) and it still was a lot for them! I had dulce de leche. YUM! Delia required a clothing change after that, ha ha!
We headed back to the ferry with only minutes to spare before the 12:20, but made it and drove right on with no problems. Whew! The girls were getting tired and a bit opinionated — definitely ready for their naps. We were home by 1:30 or so, and somehow nobody fell asleep until they were in their beds, woo hoo!
All in all, a very successful adventure! I’m not sure how feasible it would be for me to do it by myself with the three of them, yet — its hard keeping track of them all getting in and out of the car, up the long flight of steps (though I did see an elevator…) and on the deck of the ferry! But maybe. I really want to check out the Kidmu Children’s Museum over there, and would love to take the girls to the Blodel Reserve sometime, too! If I had a plan of attack for the ferry, it think it might work….
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Looks like total success to me!! Grandparents ALWAYS make things possible. Let’s plan a trip later this summer over there–I’d love to take the kids to Blodel–it’s lovely and would certainly wear them out!